2022 Buick Enclave vs 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered a diverse range of trims, each with distinct styling elements. The base LS and LT models featured unique grille patterns, while the RST trim boasted a sporty blacked-out appearance with 22-inch wheels. The Z71 trim was designed for off-roading, incorporating a rugged front end, red tow hooks, and all-terrain tires. The Premier trim added chrome accents and polished wheels, and the High Country trim exuded luxury with a chrome bar grille and bright-finish 22-inch wheels. The Tahoe's design was characterized by its dominant grille and LED lighting, with a more expressive rear end compared to its predecessor. Despite its slab-sided appearance, larger wheels enhanced its overall look. The interior focused on a 10.2-inch infotainment screen and electronic transmission controls, though the control layout was somewhat compromised. The Z71 trim we tested met quality expectations, with a mix of soft-touch surfaces and hard plastics.

The 2022 Buick Enclave underwent a significant transformation, moving away from its conservative roots to embrace a more modern SUV lineup. The Enclave, a three-row crossover, received a mid-cycle refresh with updated exterior styling, including a new grille, fascias, and wheel designs. The Avenir trim stood out with unique styling elements and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave featured a restyled centre console with push-button gears and upgraded materials. The Avenir trim offered climate-controlled front seats, heated second-row captain's chairs, and a split sunroof. The Enclave's interior was spacious, accommodating six adults comfortably, with easy access to the third row. The test vehicle, an Avenir with the Technology package, showcased a deep red Rich Garnet Metallic exterior and Ebony perforated leather seats, providing a premium feel. While not reaching luxury levels, the Avenir trim's materials and design were a cut above, offering comfort and visual appeal.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered three engine options. Most trims came with a 5.3-litre V8 engine, delivering 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The High Country trim featured an exclusive 6.2-litre V8, producing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. A turbocharged 3.0-litre diesel engine, available for all trims except the Z71, provided 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, with improved fuel efficiency. The Tahoe's 10-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with four-wheel drive available on higher trims. The Z71 trim included off-road enhancements like a two-speed transfer case and hill descent control. The Tahoe's towing capacity reached up to 3,810 kilograms, with a payload capacity of 831 kilograms. The adoption of an independent rear suspension improved ride quality, and optional Magnetic Ride Control and Air Ride suspension further enhanced comfort. The Z71 trim impressed with its smooth ride and capable performance, while the 5.3-litre V8 engine and 10-speed transmission provided ample power and refinement.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a single powertrain option: a 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, producing 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive was standard on all trims in Canada. The Enclave's towing capacity reached 2,268 kilograms when properly equipped. The Enclave excelled in providing a quiet and smooth ride, thanks to its premium ride suspension and continuously variable real-time chassis damping. The Avenir Technology package further enhanced ride quality, making the Enclave a comfortable choice for various terrains. The Enclave's powertrain delivered responsive acceleration, and the nine-speed transmission performed seamlessly. Despite its size, the Enclave surprised with its engine's pleasant sound and personality. While not designed for off-roading, the Enclave's AWD and ground clearance made it capable of handling light trails and wintry conditions.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe benefited from a new independent rear suspension, improving passenger comfort and cargo space. The test vehicle featured heated power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel, with ventilated seats available on higher trims. The power sliding storage console offered convenient storage options. The second row provided a choice between a bench seat or captain's chairs, with easy access to the third row. The third-row seat offered improved space, accommodating adults comfortably. The Tahoe's cargo capacity was impressive, with 722 litres behind the rear seat, 2,056 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 3,480 litres. These figures surpassed most full-size SUVs, except for longer-wheelbase models.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility. Standard features included power-adjustable front seats with lumbar control and tri-zone climate control. The Enclave's spacious cabin accommodated passengers comfortably in all three rows, with ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room. The second-row captain's chairs provided easy access to the third row, which could comfortably seat six-footers. The restyled centre console featured push-button transmission gears, with a covered compartment for cupholders. The Enclave's cargo space was generous, with 668 litres behind the third row, 1,634 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,758 litres. Power-folding third-row seats added convenience.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe featured a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The system offered over-the-air updates and enhanced cybersecurity. Standard features included a voice-recognition system, Chevrolet Connected Services, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Navigation and Bose premium audio systems were available upgrades. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though some menu icons were hard to access. The voice-recognition system performed impressively, and Bluetooth pairing was quick. The test vehicle included a Rear Seat Media system, though its capabilities were not fully tested. A 15-inch head-up display was available but not included in the test vehicle.

The 2022 Buick Enclave's infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation. The system allowed pairing of up to 10 devices, with two active simultaneously. A built-in Wi-Fi hotspot supported up to four devices. The interface was user-friendly, though some graphics appeared dated. The Premium and Avenir trims featured a 10-speaker Bose audio system, though it lacked power for back-seat passengers. The Enclave included a three-month SiriusXM 360L trial and six USB ports. Standard safety features included a following-distance indicator, HD rear vision camera, and Teen Driver technology. Available features included adaptive cruise control, head-up display, and HD surround vision.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe came with standard safety features like Teen Driver, rear-seat reminder, forward collision alert with pedestrian detection, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Optional features included lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. Premier and High Country trims offered adaptive cruise control, high-speed automatic emergency braking, and a Safety Alert Seat. The Tahoe's safety features performed as expected, though the pedestrian alert could be distracting. A surround-view camera was recommended for maneuvering the large SUV. As of the review, the Tahoe had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant safety updates, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package standard on all trims. Features included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features on Premium trim included enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera. The Enclave received no false alarms during testing. NHTSA awarded the Enclave a five-star overall safety rating, while IIHS gave it "Good" ratings in most crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.